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The Best Advice on How to Write Children’s Books & Young Adult Novels

If you are looking for expert advice and encouragement to write and sell your children’s book, then be sure to read You Can Write Children’s Books by Tracey E. Dils. You will get a complete look at not only the publishing industry as a whole, but also the right markets for your writing. Plus, you will learn how to write children’s books, misconceptions about writing for kids, find out what beginning readers want, and how to write for young adults and middle grade kids. From advice on writing nonfiction for kids to how to write a picture book, You Can Write Children’s Books really goes beyond the basics and covers all aspects of writing for kids.

How to Write a Novel For Middle Grade Kids

As kids grow older and start to develop their reading skills, they want books that offer complex plots and feature characters and conflicts that represent their own struggles. Take for example, middle grade novels. Typically, middle grade novels are about 10,000 to 16,000 words. This type of novel is targeted to fourth through sixth graders who want to read books that make them feel older. When writing a novel for middle grade kids, it’s important to inject humor into the story as well as action the reader can visualize. The book also covers how to write young adult novels.

Get Your Big Break: Write Nonfiction For Kids

Writing for children does not always mean writing a picture book or young adult novel. According to Dils, there are many more nonfiction books being published today than fiction and the demand for quality nonfiction is growing because elementary-age students are increasingly being asked to read and comprehend nonfiction passages in preparation for proficiency tests. What does this mean for you? Well, this is a great opportunity for a beginning writer who is open to writing nonfiction for kids. Plus, because nonfiction books are usually bought on the basis of a proposal instead of a manuscript, the time and risk involved for you is actually less. In the book, Dils explores the creative nature of nonfiction, gives details on the types of nonfiction books, and explains the market and the audience for nonfiction.

How to Write Children’s Books

In this book, you will learn how to write children’s books, find great information about children’s publishing and explore the different types of children’s books. Knowing which type of book you want to write will benefit you in the long run because you will have clear, focused objectives. But not all writers know about the different types of books for children, which is why Dils examines picture books, books for beginning readers, and chapter books. She takes you beyond the definitions and into the details writers need to know, such as form and length, the market and audience, and what editors are looking for.